about us

MICHELE JONES

JASON ALLEY

“Food has always been super important to me; sometimes because I didn’t have any. Now that food has become my livelihood, it’s time to give back, so that others can see food as a joy, not a struggle.”

Michele Jones is all about great people, great food and great community. As co-owner of Comfort – and Pasture, Flora, and soon to be Bingo! In Scott’s Addition – Michele is a community mover and shaker who loves to give back and delight others. Michele is a doer who loves the people who surround her, both in and outside of her restaurants. Whether she’s hosting her yearly foster-care children’s Thanksgiving at Pasture or traveling to Dollywood with her best friend – and her best friend’s son – Michele has a knack for making everyone feel special, welcomed and that they have a place in the world. She was once Diane Sawyer’s person of the week – though she’ll wholeheartedly avoid talking about the press she’s received for doing good things in Richmond and beyond. She loves to travel and find small treasures to surprise others and make them feel happy. All these are probably the reasons why she loves that quote attributed to Vince Lombardi: “The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have.”

Simple pleasures and new adventures bring the happiest moments to Jason Alley. The love of food, the joy of seeing happy guests, the rush of a service well run – and experiencing life as a chef, husband and father of four – make the moments of Jason’s life. He inspired the elevation of Southern fare when he opened Comfort in 2002 as one of the first restaurants to feature the vibrant and important cuisine. And, Jason continues to revolutionize the food scene in Richmond by giving back to the community, trying new concepts (like The Paulie, Flora and the soon-to-be opened, Bingo), and by proving that great chefs can also be great hosts. Jason’s hospitality is fun and genuine – just like the relationships he builds. And he doesn’t like to be bored, so you know there will always be something new and fresh when you see him next, whether it’s a big community project or an improvement on an already great menu item. Ask him about Bruce Springsteen and why “Born to Run” is his favorite album.